In light of the recent Copley decision, which basically says that we, the public, no longer have the right to know the names of police officers that have had any disciplinary action taken against them, as a community, we are headed in a very distressing direction. For some of us, this may not seem like an issue that needs much attention paid to it. After all, the issue is wrapped up in legal verbiage that some of us cannot understand.
But for those of us who can see past the legal terms, to the heart of the matter, this has a huge impact on how we regard police and our city’s inability to hold those officers, who continue to use excessive force and seem determined to preserve a mentality of “shoot first and ask questions laterâ€, accountable for their actions.
Now, the Police Officers Association wants us to believe that their focus is on maintaining the confidentiality of the police officers, and protecting them from publication of frivolous or unwarranted charges. That is one way to look at. Or one could look at this as a shield for those who continue to abuse their authority.
Are we asking to know the personal details of the officers’ records? No. We are merely asserting that if there are officers who have had disciplinary actions taken against them due to use of excessive force, then we have the right to know the names of these officers.
Why you may ask? Because we have the right to know what kind of people are patrolling our streets. If we are in need of protection, and must call on those who are getting paid to serve and protect us, then we have the right to know that the officers’, who answer the call, will actually do their job, and not turn into the aggressor and forget that we are not the enemy. We are the community that you took an oath to protect! As a community, we must educate ourselves and become aware of the issues that impact us. It’s time to stand up and speak out. As Malcolm X said, “You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.â€
5 Comments
I agree with the above right. The police are our protectors
and we are their employer to do what is right. If they abuse
their authority they need to be held accountable for their
actions. Knowing who they are can put greater focus
on the issue of abuse and be a stepping stone to getting
an abusive officer removed from his job. THis can also
serve as a detourant to other officers who choose to
abuse their authority when it comes to dealing with
tense situations in the line of duty.
So…what do we do about this?
File a Pitchess Motion, that you can file that will bring up the personel records of any and all cops involved in any incident where you have to go to court for if you are a defendant a some cops are lying about what you did and lying about what they did expecially if you got hurt by them, Please do yourself a favor and file this, its called a Pitchess Motion, it will show if the same cops have been accused of beating up others or have ever been sued, though I believe it can only show for the past five years, usually thats good enough to show a pattern of cop abuse. Please Pass this information on.
File a Pitchess Motion, this will bring up the personel records of the cops. This will show if they have been accused of hurting beating killing and any history of the cops mental disorders, suspension problems, lawsuits against them, it will show if the same cops have been accused of beating up others or have ever been sued, though I believe it can only show for the past five years, usually thats good enough to show a pattern of cop abuse. More people should be doing this for their own protection especially if they are or know anyone who has been hurt beaten and tortured by cops. Please Pass this information on. Please use this information and let others know about it.. way too much has gone on for way too long already, shame on us if we continue to let them get away with what we all know they really do. Believe in a cure for cop abuse…and know Your constitutional rights.
Police state. Nuff said. The people have no respect, but using our power (and votes, boycotts, pickets) we can change this insanity@!!!!!